Format
League structure
| Teams by Province and Division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Province | Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 | Division 4 | Total |
| Connacht | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Leinster | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| Munster | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Ulster | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| England | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32 |
The 2026 National Football League consists of four divisions of eight teams. Each team plays every other team in its division once. Two points are awarded for a win, one point is awarded for a draw and none are awarded for a loss.
In the top division, Division 1, teams compete to become the National Football League (NFL) champions. The top two teams qualify for the NFL Final, with the winners crowned NFL champions.
Teams compete for promotion and relegation to a higher or lower league. In Divisions 2, 3 and 4, the first and second-places teams are promoted and play in the respective divisional finals, while the bottom two teams of divisions 1, 2 and 3 are relegated.
Tiebreakers for league ranking
As per the Official GAA Guide - Part 1 - Section 6.21 [4] -
If two teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the league phase, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied:
- Where two teams only are involved - the outcome of the meeting of the two teams in the previous game in the Competition;
If three or more teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the league phase, the following tie-breaking criteria are applied:
- Scoring Difference (subtracting the total scores against from total scores for);
- Highest Total Score For;
- A Play-Off.
In the event that two teams or more finish with equal points, but have been affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walkover, the tie shall be decided by the following means:
- Score Difference from the games in which only the teams involved, (teams tied on points), have played each other. (subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For)
- Highest Total Score For, in which only the teams involved, have played each other, and have finished equal in (i)
- A Play-Off
